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2016 Top 24 Quarterbacks

If you want to sit back and wait on a quarterback this season. Consider carrying two quarterbacks and playing match-ups. Blake Bortles helped lead fantasy owners to a huge season. A couple of second season quarterbacks could help your roster this year.

The daily league mentality can really help out if you wait on a QB or have a major injury the rest of the way. Guys like Kirk Cousins, Jameis Winston, Eli Manning and others could help you from week to week if you don’t mind carrying a two or three QB’s depending on roster size. If you have a small bench you can add/drop.

1. Cam Newton

Depending on your league scoring, Cam Newton was the highest scoring quarterback in your league. This year he gets Kelvin Benjamin back from injury and 2016 could be even better for Newton. He should reach last years 35 touchdowns. The 10 rush TD’s could come down but I’m sure it wont be drastically. If you own him in a keeper league, keep him. I’d consider drafting Newton late round one mid round two.

2. Russell Wilson

You could consider a few names here. I’ll take the young QB who’s entering his prime at 27 and coming off his best season yet. It looks like Doug Baldwin is his legit go-to guy. Tyler Lockett had 51 receptions last season as a rookie and got better as the year went on. Wilson can run too. Seattle is no longer a Marshawn Lynch featured offense. This is Wilson’s team and he will be a top QB to own this coming year.

3. Carson Palmer

Palmer is 36 and looks to again be ready for a big year. The offensive line struggles that plagued Arizona for years seems to be resolved. Palmer has weapons for days. David Johnson is a great receiver out of the backfield. John Brown, Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd, Jaron Brown & second year receiver JJ Nelson make for a deep and talented set of skill players. 33-36 TD’s should be in store for Palmer this season.

4. Aaron Rodgers

It was an up and down year for the Packers offense in 2015. Many dropped passes, Injured players and a manic running game hurt Rodgers stats. Jordy Nelson is back from an ACL injury. Randall Cobb was slowed by the absence of Nelson but should rebound with him back. Devante Adams seemed lost at times. Word out of Packers camp is Adams is inconsistent again. Ty Montgomery showed some promise until his season ended early. Old James Jones is gone. The only reason he was back was because of the mess that was the Packers receivers. Things should be better this year. If Eddie Lacy can play better and Starks can chip in as well it’ll take the pressure off the passing game. Rodgers should bounce back toward the 36 TD range. But an injury here and there and the Packers offense could revert back to 2015.

5. Andrew Luck

A year ago Luck was coming off a 40 touchdown in 2014 and seemed like a sure thing as a top QB. Instead it was a disastrous season. He only appeared in 7 games before getting injured. With a familiar cast around him, Luck could be in for a big 2016. T.Y. Hilton, Moncrief and oft injured tight end Dwayne Allen are all back. Last year’s first round pick Phillip Dorset needs to be better in his second season. The scary part is the depth. If a couple of guys get hurt there’s not a ton behind the starters that makes you feel like this Colts offense wont implode. Grab Luck for the Potential, But have a backup plan.

6. Tom Brady

Tom Brady is in the category of the first three players on this list. Safe and productive. The only reason he’s this far back is because of the suspension. He’ll be your starter for the 11 weeks he’s available. The new additions should help with depth and Aaron Dobson is fighting for his life on the team. Bennett and Gronk will be a nightmare in the red zone and Chris Hogan could emerge as an important part of the offense. The running game should be better due to health and I’d take Brady and try to match him up with a QB you feel has good matchups the first four weeks. You may even want to grab Brady with the thoughts of trading him. Week four if you are all set at Quarterback and you need a good receiver or back, a chip like Brady could be huge.

7. Drew Brees

Brees had a monster 7 touchdown showdown against Eli Manning in week 8. His season didn’t really get going until then. His surrounding cast is young but could be strong with Brandin Cooks, Willie Snead and rookie Michael Thomas. The team also signed average pass catching tight end Coby Fleener. Brees has Ingram to throw to out of the backfield. He’s lost a step for sure, but still a quality starter. The division isn’t strong defensively which helps.

8. Blake Bortles

Blake Bortles threw 24 more touchdowns and only 1 more interception from Rookie year to his second season. It wasn’t pretty and i don’t think Bortles is very good. He makes a lot of mistakes and is still learning. But that doesn’t mater in Fantasy football. With Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns as his receivers the stats will be there. The defense being better could hurt a little. Many games Jacksonville would get behind quick and stage a big comeback. Most of which was through the air. If the defense is improved than it wouldn’t shock me if the interceptions go up a bit and the TD’s comedown slightly. Still, Bortles has two very good weapons to throw to and the runningbacks are a little deeper with the addition of Chris Ivory.

9. Kirk Cousins

Cousins turned in a nice season in his first full year as a starter. He threw 29 TD’s and 4,166 yards. Cousins had 7 games over 300 yards and 5 games with 3 or more touchdown passes. He had 11 TD’s and zero interceptions the last 3 games of the regular season. A strong finish i always a good sing of things to come.

Desean Jackson has random big games. Pierre Garcon has been solid at times. I expect a big jump from second year receiver Jamison Crowder. They drafted Josh Doctson in the first round who is dealing with an ankle injury in camp. So he may or may not contribute as a rookie. The biggest threat is tight end Jordan Reed. Reed when healthy is a top three tight end in the league.

I really like Cousin coming into the season. I expect the touchdowns to go up. He should be a quality starter for you this coming fantasy season and maybe the surprise of 2016 at the position.

10. Ben Roethlisberger

Roethlisberger scares me a bit. He will for sure have some big games. But Big Ben has taken many shots over the years and it seems to be catching up with him. He missed time last season and even took himself out because of a concussion against the Seahawks. It wouldn’t surprise me if in a year or two he decides to retire, if he endures any more brain injuries. He knows the risks of them and seems to realize how it could ruin his life down the road.

That being said he’s throwing to Antonio Brown who’s one of the best in the game. Markus Wheaton took a nice step forward in his third season. With Martavis Bryant suspended, Sammy Coates and Darius Heyward-Bey need to fill in. Coates is super athletic with hands of stone. Leveon Bell is facing a looming suspension and coming back from injury (No, this isn’t 2015) but is always a receiving threat out of the backfield when on the field. I’d draft a backup to pair with Roethlisberger.

11. Andy Dalton

People love to shit on this guy. But if you actually paid attention to him last season you know things looked different. He stopped forcing it to Green as much which cut down on interceptions. The emergence of tight end Tyler Eifert provided a much-needed outlet. Eifert’s health is in question to start the year. Marvin Jones and Mohammed Sanu are gone. So Dalton will have to adjust to New additions Brandon Lafell and hope rookie Tyler Boyd can step into the slot and perform well. If things click for Dalton’s weapons I’d expect him to throw around 33 touchdowns this coming year. I wouldn’t be shocked by a slow start for Dalton. Especially with Jets, Steelers and Denver the first 3 games. But he could emerge as a great asset as the season goes on if Eifert’s health isn’t a lasting issue and he develops chemistry with guys not named AJ Green.

12. Jameis Winston

A big bodied Winston scored 26 total touchdowns as a rookie. This year he has slimmed down and by all accounts looks good in camp. If Winston is as dedicated as it seems i think better numbers are to come. He needs to work on his short passing game and involve Charles Simms out of the backfield. Mike Evans is the best receiver he has. Vincent Jackson’s best days are behind him. I think Winston will more and score more on the ground. Winston could be a big draft day steal and someone you may want to keep down the road.

13. Derek Carr

Coming into year three Carr should make that next step toward a top-notch quarterback. Amari Cooper has a year under his belt and will be Carr’s go-to guy. Michael Crabtree came in and posted solid numbers. The x-factor will be second year tight end Clive Wolford. A preseason injury slowed his rookie year. An ATV accident slowed his spring. So he needs to stay healthy and produce. Wolford was a major red zone threat in college. Carr could be in for a career year and is a breakout candidate for 2016.

14. Eli Manning

Eli threw 35 touchdown passes last year. The most he’s ever thrown in a season. 6 of them came in a shootout in New Orleans. Odell Beckham Jr will be the go-to guy. After that, rookie Sterling Shepard could be a solid contributor in his first season. Taking some pressure off Beckham jr. Dwayne Harris is still around and had a few nice games for the Giants. People love to hype Victor Cruz. He can’t stay healthy. The tight ends are decent. Larry Donnell has been a good red zone target over the last couple years and big Will Tye stepped up last year. I’d expect Eli’s TD’s to come down. He may be a good play week to week if you have an injury or want to play match ups with another QB.

15. Marcus Mariota

Running quarterbacks can be huge in fantasy. Mariota was held back a bit last year in this department. I think they’ll let him run more this season. In his second season as a pro he will be more confident throwing. Mariota needs to be owned. He’ll have some big games and his weapons are solid. Rishard Matthews was brought in as a free agent and played well in Miami last year. Rookie Tajae Sharpe has been a great surprise. Kendall Wright will be helped out with other talent around him At Tight End Delanie Walker is a reception machine.

16. Matthew Stafford

Stafford threw 32 Td’s last year. 9 of them came in two games. I really believe the retirement of Calvin Johnson will only help Stafford’s numbers. He constantly locked in on Johnson who hadn’t been the dominant receiver he once was for a few years. Golden Tate was very good two years ago when Calvin Johnson was out. Marvin Jones was signed and was a solid contributor in Cincinnati when healthy. He could emerge as the top target. Andre Roberts was also signed and is an underrated player. Roberts could find himself in a starting role in Detroit. Veteran Anquan Boldin was also signed. I’m not sure how much he has left. The Tight Ends are a mess but Theo Riddick is an excellent pass catcher out of the backfield. Stafford could be a more consistent point scorer this year. I don’t think he’ll put up better numbers. But he could be more balanced from week to week.

17. Philip Rivers

Philip Rivers should throw around 30 touchdowns this season. That’s about the average for his career and things should be the same. If Keenan Allen can stay healthy it will boost Rivers value. If his receivers drop like flies as the did last year he stock will drop. Travis Benjamin was brought in via free agency and should be a nice addition. Especially as a duo with Allen. Antonio Gates looks like his best days are far behind and Ladarius Green is in Pittsburgh. But rookie Hunter Henry has been impressive this preseason and could end up playing a big role in the offense. With Woodhead still catching passes out of the backfield, Rivers has a good core of weapons to start the year. Whether it’ll end up that way remains the question.

18. Tyrod Taylor

This is the point of the list when things really drop off. Everyone above could be a starting QB on a fantasy roster. I think the rest of the players listed are more spot starts, backups or injury fill-ins.

Taylor just signed a big deal. He may have to carry the offense in the beginning of the season. Something he did a few times last year. Sammy Watkins is trying to get back to speed after foot surgery. It could be early to mid-season before he is the threat the Bills need. So Taylor may run a little more. He scored 24 total touchdowns last season but missed 3 games in the middle of the year. He needs to be able to stay healthy.

18. Matt Ryan

H has one of the best, if not the best receiver in the game in Julio Jones. Freeman was huge for a chunk running the ball for the Falcons. Yet this team always seems to disappoint. It really was an ugly year for Ryan. Only 21 TD passes and 16 picks. He did throw for 4,591 yards and should find a few big games on Julio mismatches alone.

19. Brock Osweiller

Osweiller finds a new situation after leaving Denver. In Houston he has a tremendous receiver in DeAndre Hopkins. Lamar Miller was signed and will be used in the run and passing game. Will Fuller was drafted in the first round and has been very impressive. Rookie Braxton Miller has done nothing but impress since his move to receiver and should have a role. Jaelen Strong needs to make a bigger impact in his second season with the team. Fuller and Miller could impede his chances. Veteran Cecil Shorts will chip in too. Osweiller has plenty of weapons. We will see if he can do it for a full year after getting a fat contract. He’s a real boom or bust quarterback for 2016. Brock could be a top 12 QB if things go well.

20. Teddy Bridgewater

Coming into year 3 Bridgewater needs to take the next step. They’ve given him weapons in Diggs, Johnson and Treadwell. Adrian Peterson his still the workhorse back. But Jerrick McKinon played a bigger role and can contribute catching passes out of the backfield. I don’t think Bridgewater will touch the 30 TD mark. But 23-25 is reasonable. If he throws anywhere near the 14 the he did the last two seasons it will be time to find another option at QB for the Vikings.

21. Ryan Tannehill

Tannehill hasn’t progressed as fast as the Dolphins would like. He has a ton of young talent around him. Jarvis Landry caught 110 passes in 2015. He could surpass that this year. Devante Parker came up big late in the season when he finally recovered from a foot injury. Kenny Stills gives them a deep threat but didn’t play a huge role in his first season with the team. I think it’s business as usual with Tannehill. He is what he is and i don’t expect more. bye week / spot start at best.

22. Jay Cutler

Cutler has a hard time staying healthy. He does have some good weapons to throw to. but they haven’t been healthy either. Alshon and Kevin White could end being a good duo if they can stay on the field. Zach Miller came up big last year and needs to contribute again. I like Langford in the backfield. I think there’ll be some big moments for Cutler this year. But health is a major issue here for the offense.

23. Tony Romo

Dez Bryant and Ezekiel Elliott will be the two biggest threats in the Cowboys offense. Romo has a tough time staying on the field. Health is again a obstacle here. If he stays healthy he can produce. But with so many others in good position to score points I’m staying away.

24. Robert Griffin

At this point you’re taking a flyer on a guy who was once good for a season. He finds a new life in Cleveland where quarterbacks go to die rather than resurrect a career. But there are some potentially good players on this Browns offense. Cleveland selected Corey Coleman in the first round. He’s dealing with a hamstring injury early in camp. Josh Gordon will be back and Gary Barnidge was a breakout start at tight end. If Griffin can run like he used to and regain confidence in himself he could be a quality bench asset. Sam Bradford, Alex Smith could be options here. RG3 has the upside and let’s face it, none of these names will win you’re league this year.